What you Need to Know about Concussions

If you recently experienced a sudden abrasion to the head, such as a car accident or a sports injury, there is a chance you suffered a concussion, and that is not something you should ignore.

So, what is a concussion? It is a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) that alters how your brain functions. They usually occur because of a blow to the head, but they may also result when a person’s head and neck are violently shaken.

Did you experience a concussion lately? Do you think you may have experienced one? If you have, depending on the force of the impact, the jolt may have caused your brain to rattle around in your head. Here are some things you should know about concussions.

Concussion Symptoms

Bruising

Damaged blood vessels

Injuries to the nerves

Impaired brain function

Vision impairment

Loss of equilibrium

Loss of consciousness

Confusion

Dizziness

Nausea or Vomiting

Headaches

Amnesia

Sensitivity to light

Sensitivity to noise

Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)

Sluggishness

Behavioral or Personality change

Poor concentration

Memory loss

Concussions and Upper Cervical Care

Not every blow to the head will result in a concussion, and not every concussion leads to long-term effects. If you experience this MTBI, whether you momentarily lost consciousness or not, you may return to normal activity after 15 minutes. If you lost consciousness and your symptoms last longer than 15 minutes, it is important to seek the care of an upper cervical specialist.

Upon examination of your upper cervical spine (upper neck), which are the top two vertebrae in your spine, they will determine if you sustained an Atlas Subluxation. These occur when the Atlas, or the vertebra the neck rests upon, is moved out of normal position, and hinders the brain’s ability to properly communicate with the body. If this type of misalignment has occurred in your upper neck, concussion symptoms will frequently linger for days, weeks, months or even years.

To find an upper cervical doctor in your area go to NUCCA.org or if you are in the Apple Valley, Minnesota area to schedule your NUCCA consultation and evaluation, click the button below: